Needle Tip For Fusers

Even an old fuser can learn new tricks. Fusing is a great technique for creating the organic shapes found in my pictorial and storytelling quilts like Dye, Fuse, Cut, Stitch. I apply fusible web to all my fabrics in a design. The result may be up to 7 layers of fused fabric shapes in a quilt top.

When it comes time to add free-motion stitching to the quilt top, there can be a problem. Fusible web may gum up your sewing machine needle as you sew. The friction during the stitch process heats up the needle which melts the glue onto the needle. This gummy residue on the needle may cause uneven stitching and breaking threads.

Recently, I discovered a solution: use a titanium coated embroidery needle in the machine. The titanium coating on the needle keeps the needle cooler so the glue doesn’t stick to the needle. Also, an embroidery needle has a rounded point so if you back stitch onto a thread you don’t pierce a previous stitch. The needle tip rolls over the stitch without shredding the thread.

The titanium embroidery needle is now my favorite needle for my favorite machine, the BERNINA 750 QE. Together they make creating my art quilts a treat.

Additional information about machine needles.

All the fabrics used to make the tops for my art quilts have fusible web on them. When I add a binding this fabric may not have fusible web on it but, I still keep the titanium needle in place. And each time I start a new project, I replace the sewing machine needle. That way I get the best stitch on my favorite machine, the BERNINA 750 QE.

There is information “out there” that suggest titanium needles or titanium coated needles can do damage to your machine when accidently hitting the throat plate etc. I don’t know if this is accurate, but I have avoided them just in case. Can anyone shed any light on this?

Thank you for the tip. I’m trying to quilt my first collage wall hanging. I’m a little frustrated though. I have Bernina QE440 and I’m using the stitch regulator. Should I use a darning foot instead. With the stitch regulator foot, it will miss several stitches in a row, like it’s not catching the bobbin. My needles gum up and the thread breaks. Tomorrow I am going shopping for the Titanium needles and Aurofil thread. Do you recommend any other kind of thread? I appreciate your help.

I suggest trying the Titanium embroidery needle with your stitch regulator too see if that helps. Also, try using Isacord thread on your machine. I find it works great with my 14/90 Titanium embroidery needle whether I’m using the stitch regulator or a darning foot. Have fun!

Thanks for your question! I don’t use an 8 series machine but we’ve checked with the wonderful BERNINA techs and this is what they have to say:

Titanium needles are covered with titanium so the shell is much tougher. In case of a needle strike, there is a higher chance that the needle could cause more damage in the strike zone. Needle strikes and the result of the damage to the machines are not covered under the warranty. We are not discouraging consumers to use Titanium needles but they must be used responsibly.

After testing different brands of titanium needles (Bachmann, Schmetz, Organ and Klasse) it was found that Bachmann was best for regular sewing and Organ for embroidery.

Thanks for this wealth of needle knowledge!! Reading every question and your replies teaches me even more! I am an owner of several Bernina machines. I have been sewing for more than 45 years but have so much more to learn lol. I am getting into more artistic sewing so I am fascinated with varied threads, textures and techniques out there for me to learn. again than you!!